Excessive Tearing
What is Excessive Tearing?
Overview
Excessive tearing, medically known as lacrimation, occurs when the eyes produce more tears than they can drain away. This can also result from a blockage or malfunction in the tear drainage system, leading to a condition called epiphora.
While tears are essential for eye health and comfort, too many can cause blurred vision, constant wiping, skin irritation around the eyes, and social discomfort.
Excessive tearing can affect one or both eyes, may be intermittent or persistent, and can have many different causes — some temporary, others requiring medical treatment.
Who is Affected?
Excessive tearing can affect people of all ages, from newborns with congenital tear duct blockages to older adults with age-related eyelid or tear duct changes.
It is more common in individuals with allergies, chronic eye irritation, eyelid malposition, or a history of eye infections or surgery.
People who spend long hours at a computer, wear contact lenses, or have certain systemic conditions such as autoimmune disorders may also be at higher risk.
Excessive Tearing Symptoms & Causes
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with excessive tearing include:
- Swelling near the inner corner of the eye (possible sign of tear duct infection or blockage).
- Constant or intermittent watery eyes.
- Tears running down the cheeks.
- Blurred vision due to a watery film over the eyes.
- Irritation or redness around the eyes.
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
- Crusting or discharge if infection is present.
Causes
Excessive tearing may be due to any number of causes and may be a temporary or chronic condition.
- Dry eye
- Side effect of some medications
- Skin disease of or around the eyelids
- Diseases of the glands in the eyelids
- Refractive surgery
- Allergies
- Infrequent blinking due to computer or video screen usage
- Prolonged contact lens wear
- Immune system disorders
- Chronic inflammation (conjunctivitis)
- Exposure keratitis (eyelids do not close completely during sleep)
- Eyelid malposition or malfunction, which impairs the ability of the blinking eyelids to direct tears into the normal draining tear ducts (nasolacrimal ducts).
- Narrowing of the nasolacrimal drainage system at the punctae, canaliculi, lacrimal sac, nasolacrimal duct, or within the nose.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical evaluation if:
- Tearing is persistent, worsening, or affecting daily activities.
- There is associated pain, redness, swelling, or discharge.
- Vision becomes blurry or fluctuates.
- There are symptoms of infection such as fever, tenderness, or pus.
- You have a history of eye surgery or injury and develop new tearing symptoms.
Excessive Tearing Diagnosis
Your eye specialist will take a detailed history and perform a comprehensive eye examination, including tests to assess tear production, eyelid position and function, and tear duct drainage. This may involve:
- Slit-lamp examination to look for eye surface problems.
- Dye disappearance test to assess drainage.
- Probing and irrigation of tear ducts.
- Nasal endoscopy to evaluate the nasal end of the tear duct system.
- Imaging (dacryocystography or CT scan) if obstruction is suspected.
Excessive Tearing Treatment & Outcomes
Treatment Options
Treatment of excessive tearing depends on the underlying cause and may need to be managed as a chronic condition.
There are a variety of prescription and non-prescription eye drops which may reduce ocular irritation or increase basic tear production, and thus reduce symptoms of dry eye.
Lacrimal plugs may be used as a temporary measure to plug the drainage openings at the inner corners of the eye to improve moisturization of the eyes for those with excessive tearing due to dryness. These are inserted in the office, with minimal discomfort to the patient. This process is reversible but in severe cases, permanent plugs may be recommended.
Surgery
- In some cases, a punctal or canalicular surgery may be considered to reduce drainage.
- When tearing is due to eyelid malposition or malfunction, surgery is generally successful in improving eyelid position and function and thus reducing tearing.
- When tearing is due to obstruction within the nasolacrimal drainage apparatus, surgery is generally successful in improving drainage and thus reducing tearing.
Management of underlying conditions such as allergies, eyelid skin disease, or autoimmune disorders is recommended.
Patient Outcomes
Most patients experience significant relief from symptoms once the underlying cause is addressed. Surgical treatments for tear duct obstruction or eyelid malposition have high success rates. Chronic conditions such as dry eye may require ongoing management, but symptoms can be well controlled with tailored care.
Managing Excessive Tearing
Following your treatment plan, using prescribed eye drops, and attending regular follow-up visits will help maintain comfort and prevent recurrence. Protecting your eyes from wind, dust, and allergens and taking regular breaks from screen use can also help reduce tearing.
Meet our Expert Specialists & Surgeons
Experience Compassionate, Expert Care
At Pacific Neuroscience Institute, our oculoplastic and neuro-ophthalmology specialists combine advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and personalized care to address both the functional and cosmetic aspects of excessive tearing. Our goal is to help you see, and feel, your best.
Learn More About Excessive Tearing
With the right diagnosis and treatment, most patients experience lasting improvement. Chronic conditions may require ongoing management, but many surgical and non-surgical options provide long-term relief.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include lubricating drops, eyelid surgery, tear duct procedures, or treatment for underlying allergies or inflammation.
The most common causes are eye irritation, dry eye, allergies, eyelid problems, or blockage of the tear ducts.
If a blocked tear duct is the cause, a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) can create a new drainage pathway between the tear sac and the nasal cavity.
Yes. While often caused by minor issues, watery eyes can sometimes signal infection, autoimmune disease, or tumors affecting the tear drainage system.
Causes range from environmental irritants and allergies to eyelid malposition, tear duct blockage, and systemic diseases.
Resources
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If excessive tearing is affecting your comfort, vision, or quality of life, our expert team can help identify the cause and create a personalized treatment plan. From advanced diagnostics to the latest surgical techniques, we are committed to restoring healthy eye function and comfort.